strum
1to play on (a stringed musical instrument) by running the fingers lightly across the strings.
to produce (notes, a melody, etc.) by such playing: to strum a tune.
to play on a stringed musical instrument by running the fingers lightly across the strings.
the act of strumming.
the sound produced by strumming.
Origin of strum
1Other words from strum
- strummer, noun
Other definitions for strum (2 of 2)
a strainer, as at the inlet of a system of tubing.
Origin of strum
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use strum in a sentence
He seemed to be here, there, everywhere, sitting under a tree softly strumming his guitar.
In his introduction Wolcott admits to “going soft” lately, to “becoming a more loving, caring, dulcimer-strumming individual.”
The Obligation to be Interesting: James Wolcott’s “Critical Mass” | William Giraldi | October 24, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTBut there was also singing and guitar strumming and—inevitably—a circle dance.
NYC Jews Pray In Solidarity With Women Of The Wall | Sigal Samuel | March 12, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTI take brief breaks from writing, 2-3 minutes, by strumming badly on a guitar.
These pieces show Christov-Bakargiev wearing her Apollo hat and strumming the lyre too loudly.
The Art Exhibition Documenta Contains Almost Too Much Good Art to Experience | Blake Gopnik | June 9, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
The accompaniment was a simple strumming on a harp of very few strings, and was hardly more than the beating of time.
English: Composition and Literature | W. F. (William Franklin) WebsterFrom a corner came the notes of a piano-organ strumming out a stirring march of Rossini's.
The Well-Beloved | Thomas HardyIt shows the true Spain, and not merely the conventional one of strumming guitars and jingling mule bells.
He contented himself with strumming a melancholy air on his guitar: you know that is his resource in embarrassing circumstances.
The Gold-Seekers | Gustave AimardSard, strumming a few chords on the piano, looked thoughtfully at her aunt.
Under the Law | Edwina Stanton Babcock
British Dictionary definitions for strum
/ (strʌm) /
to sound (the strings of a guitar, banjo, etc) with a downward or upward sweep of the thumb or of a plectrum
to play (chords, a tune, etc) in this way
Origin of strum
1Derived forms of strum
- strummer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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